I traded my 65kw generator for a brand new Mas Power MEC45DSA (far right hand side generator but with a 200 gallon fuel tank) for my house. I already have all the conduit in place and this automatic transfer switch installed ASCO 400 amp Service Rated NEMA 1 Automatic Switch by professional electricians.
Basically, I know I could install all of it myself, but I'd always be worried that if my home ever had a fire or something electrical related, I'd strongly prefer to have a professionally installed and code inspected installed unit. That leads up to my real question; how much of a concrete pad does it need to sit on? My electrician, although very knowledgable about my generator, has never installed the concrete pad for any of his customers. We've decided that the pad needs to be a 6'X12' pad. Then...., that's when the stories vary depending upon who you ask. With the larger tank and filled with fuel, the generator has a reasonably small footprint but will weigh around 4300 pounds as installed.
I'm getting ready to go leave and get the lumber to make the form and the rebar. Right now I'm looking at using 2X10's for my forms, giving me just over 8" of thickness for the pad. I can't decide whether I should go with the mesh in it or not. I'm also going to use a tile spade and dig a 'footer' just inside the forms along with generous use of rebar. I'll still be under the 3 yard minimum load. With the 'footers', I'm figuring around 2 yards of concrete. I do have some eroded areas around the base of my bridge where I can have the other yard poured. Literally, that last yard is costing me $4 because of the minimum charge for delivery.
I will have the generator sitting on 1/2" rubber that used to be surplus conveyor belt material in the coal mines. Still, I have 4000 pounds of vibrating weight on the pad. Oh, the conduits for the generator are in place and will actually come up inside the generator from under the pad. From the outside, there will be no wires or conduit showing. Should I go ahead and get the fiber anyway? I don't have a lot of faith in it, but if it helps some, on this small pour, it may be worth it. Thoughts?
Basically, I know I could install all of it myself, but I'd always be worried that if my home ever had a fire or something electrical related, I'd strongly prefer to have a professionally installed and code inspected installed unit. That leads up to my real question; how much of a concrete pad does it need to sit on? My electrician, although very knowledgable about my generator, has never installed the concrete pad for any of his customers. We've decided that the pad needs to be a 6'X12' pad. Then...., that's when the stories vary depending upon who you ask. With the larger tank and filled with fuel, the generator has a reasonably small footprint but will weigh around 4300 pounds as installed.
I'm getting ready to go leave and get the lumber to make the form and the rebar. Right now I'm looking at using 2X10's for my forms, giving me just over 8" of thickness for the pad. I can't decide whether I should go with the mesh in it or not. I'm also going to use a tile spade and dig a 'footer' just inside the forms along with generous use of rebar. I'll still be under the 3 yard minimum load. With the 'footers', I'm figuring around 2 yards of concrete. I do have some eroded areas around the base of my bridge where I can have the other yard poured. Literally, that last yard is costing me $4 because of the minimum charge for delivery.
I will have the generator sitting on 1/2" rubber that used to be surplus conveyor belt material in the coal mines. Still, I have 4000 pounds of vibrating weight on the pad. Oh, the conduits for the generator are in place and will actually come up inside the generator from under the pad. From the outside, there will be no wires or conduit showing. Should I go ahead and get the fiber anyway? I don't have a lot of faith in it, but if it helps some, on this small pour, it may be worth it. Thoughts?